The Navy apprehended 12 persons for engaging in illegal fishing, during separate operations conducted in the sea areas of Round Island, Trincomalee and Kaddaikadu, Kilinochchi on Wednesday (17). The individuals involved in light-coarse fishing and fishing with unauthorized nets when the apprehensions were made. The operations also led to the seizure of two dinghies used for these illegal acts.
The Naval Dockyard in the Eastern Naval Command conducted a search operation in the sea area of Round Island, where a suspicious dinghy was spotted. After conducting further search of the dinghy, Naval personnel apprehended 11 individuals who were involved in illegal fishing using unauthorized fishing nets. The dinghy used for this illegal activity was also seized.
The suspects held in these operations were identified as residents of Kinniya and Mullian, from 21 to 54 years of age. The 11 persons held in the Round Island sea area were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Cod Bay for onward legal action. Meanwhile, the dinghy and unauthorized fishing gear have been kept in the Naval custody, until further legal proceedings get underway.
The person along with the dinghy and fishing equipment, held in the Kaddaikadu sea area was handed over to the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department – Jaffna for onward legal action.
